KFC SuperCoach AFL: Top rookies from mid-season draft, position changes announced after round 11
We have a new batch of KFC SuperCoach cheapies who can come to our rescue during the treacherous bye rounds. Find out the top options and their SuperCoach numbers.
Al Paton and
Dan Batten
Does someone in AFL headquarters play KFC SuperCoach?
Because
the mid-season draft has come at the perfect time, with an influx of bottom-priced players exactly when we are crying out for some.
But with some clubs grabbing a player who can make an immediate impact and others looking to the future, who are the cheapies that can save us in KFC SuperCoach – as Jai Newcombe did last season?
Here are our experts’ top picks.
Brett Turner (Adelaide) MID
SC 2022 Ave: 119 (SANFL)
The Crows grabbed the 25-year-old gun from the SANFL and he could be seen soon at AFL level to fill a Rory Sloane-sized hole in the Adelaide midfield, based on a glowing endorsement from recruiter Hamish Ogilvie.
“His early-season form has been outstanding and clearly above SANFL level, he deserves an opportunity, he has done a lot of extra work and presented his body and conditioning in outstanding shape,” Ogilvie said on Wednesday night.
“As a player he offers a point of difference for our midfield in he has good speed and lateral movement and can go left and right foot out of stoppage.
“He fits nicely in our age profile given we need to add some quality players in that age bracket and history shows the very best SANFL players can transfer to the AFL and have an impact.”
Turner averaged 24 disposals and 1.5 goals per game in the first four rounds of the SANFL – including a dominant display in round 3 against the Crows when he had 38 disposals, kicked 4.1 and scored 182 KFC SuperCoach points – before injuring his foot the next week. He is expected to be available after Adelaide’s round 13 bye.
Jai Culley (West Coast) MID
SC 2022 Average: 135.5 (NAB League)
It might be a stretch to see Culley step straight into West Coast’s line-up coming off just three games for the year, but an AFL won’t be far off considering the Eagles’ injury crisis.
The 193cm inside midfielder posted scores of 151 and 120 in his two NAB League matches but his crowning moment
came in the Young Guns clash against the best 19-year-olds in Victoria, where he amassed a whopping 197 SuperCoach points.
In that outing, Culley finished with 22 disposals, seven inside 50s, five marks and four first-half goals.
Culley has a ready-made frame, nice footskills, wins contested ball and pushes forward to hit the scoreboard – that’s what we like in a rookie.
Josh Carmichael (Collingwood) MID
SC Ave (SANFL): 106
Carmichael has the potential to be one of the best KFC SuperCoach options from this year’s mid-season draft as a tall goalkicking midfielder.
The 22-year-old has had a breakout SANFL season where he is averaging 25 disposals, five clearances, four tackles and 106 SuperCoach points from eight matches for the bottom-placed West Adelaide.
He shapes as a prospect who could step in right away at senior level, especially at the Magpies who are lacking a player in his mould.
Sam Durdin (Carlton) DEF
SC 2022 Ave: 88 (SANFL)
The mid-season draft came at the perfect time for Carlton after a serious injury to its most important defender Jacob Weitering last weekend.
Durdin could step straight into the Blues backline spot after their round 12 bye after strong performances for Glenelg in the SANFL following six years on North Melbourne’s list.
The highlight came on Anzac Day when he won the best-on-ground medal for 22 disposals and 11 marks.
His price will be an interesting watch – he last played at AFL level in 2020 when he averaged 36.3 in three appearances. His best season was 2019 (av 52.6), so don’t expect big scores but he could fill a vital spot on the defensive bench.
Brynn Teakle (Port Adelaide) RUC-FWD (?)
SC Ave 2022: 92 (WAFL)
Say hello to our main RUC-FWD rookie hope.
Teakle joins the Power as a mature-age ruck-forward after goals and averaging 14.7 disposals, 17 hitouts and a goal for East Fremantle in the WAFL.
The 202cm prospect shouldn’t be a significant threat to Sam Hayes’ ruck mantle, but could get an opportunity at the back-end of the season.
But that may not matter for those after a RUC-FWD swing.
Wade Derksen (GWS) $102,400 FWD-RUC
SC Ave (WAFL): 101
The main point of interest for Derksen will be whether Derksen secures FWD/RUC status, spending a surprising amount of time in the ruck for a 195cm key forward due to his exciting athletic traits.
The Peel Thunder product has recorded 22 hitouts in his four WAFL matches and from a KFC SuperCoach perspective, it could allow us to downgrade to him as a cut-priced FWD/RUC rookie.
And he has the potential to break in this year in a Giants side that lacks tall forwards, with the 21-year-old averaging 16 disposals, five marks, 101 points along with booting nine goals across four WAFL matches this season.
Kallan Dawson (North Melbourne) DEF
SC Ave 2022: 69 (VFL)
The apprentice electrician is set to provide some much-needed spark in the Kangaroos’ back half.
The 23-year-old has been a standout for Williamstown in the VFL this year – against Frankston two weeks ago he had 15 kicks and 11 marks – and Kangaroos talent manager Brady Rawlings says Dawson is ready to play.
“He’s a good intercept mark, he’s put on 10-11 kilos in the last two seasons so he’s got his body ready for AFL footy.
“He’s got good speed, good judgement in the air and he’s been quite skilful and safe with the ball in hand.”
If he gets a crack early he could be a better scoring option than Durdin.
Massimo D’Ambrosio (Essendon) DEF-MID (?)
SC Ave: 134 (NAB League), 88 (VFL)
D’Ambrosio will miss up to four weeks with a shoulder injury he suffered last week for Richmond’s VFL side, but he shapes as a player to watch with the possibility of DEF/MID status.
The elite-kicking defender-wingman dominated in the NAB League, averaging 28 disposals, 19 kicks, eight intercepts and 134 SuperCoach points and proved he could score well against senior bodies.
In two non-injury affected VFL matches, D’Ambrosio averaged 83 points, including a 25 disposals and 88 points up against his new Bombers teammates.
James Blanck (Hawthorn) $102,400 DEF
SC Ave: 60 (VFL)
Blanck doesn’t have great scoring potential as a lockdown tall, but the Hawks could call on him to bolster their key defensive stocks.
The 195cm, 21-year-old has averaged 60 points, along with 9.5 disposals, 2.9 marks and 5.1 spoils in the VFL last year.
Blanck may not follow in fellow Box Hill graduate Jai Newcombe’s footsteps and come to our rescue, but he could be a warm body at the back-end of the season if he gets a run of games.
Will Hayes (Carlton) – MID
SC Ave 2022: 128 (VFL)
A rare second chance at a second chance for the former Bulldog, who graduated from Footscray VFL to the AFL before being delisted at the end of last season.
He demanded a spot on Carlton’s list by averaging 33 disposals a game for the Blues’ VFL outfit this year, but it won’t be an easy midfield to break into at AFL level.
If he gets a chance, he’s ready to go.
